sunset on cranberry twp, pa 11-14-16
The sun sets
The moon rises
The earth turns.
The heart beats
The eyes see
The ears hear.
The clock ticks
The calendar flips
Time flies.
The hands touch
The nose smells
The mouth tastes.
The wind blows
The trees sway
The birds sing.
The soul feels
The brain thinks
The human being loves.
Experience every second
Appreciate every minute
Cherish every moment.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
CharlieDog Watercolor Character – 10 x 12
I stayed up very late the other night watching election coverage.
It was so nerve-wracking, I had to do something besides watch predictions and “paths” and the shock of the reporters as they announced each state’s decision and electoral numbers.
I wanted to do something pleasant and think pleasant thoughts. The happiest thing that came to mind is our sweet grand baby who is due any day now. As I thought of her, I thought of stuffed animals and cute animal characters. I thought of soft, cuddly teddy bears. And then I decided to create a teddy bear like stuffed character of Charlie, our furry adopted boy.
In the wee hours of the night/morning, CharlieDog was born on a 10×12 sheet of Arches 300 lb cold press. He has chubby chipmunk cheeks and curious cherubic eyes. His chunky belly is plump and soft and snuggable. He has one ear up on alert for Cliff the Mailman or Mike the UPS man or anyone delivering pizza!
Art has become such a calming, stress-relieving outlet for me. If anyone out there thinks they would love to draw or paint or create, but feels they aren’t “artistic” enough or don’t have any formal training, or have never tried, or whatever your reasons might be – just do it. Don’t let your mind tell you that you can’t. I would have said that a year ago. Do it for the joy. Do it for you – not anybody else’s approval or praise (that part was/is a struggle for me that I am getting much better at). Do it to create your own kind of beauty. Do it for peace and love and goodness – for yourself or someone your share it with.
Focus on things that make you happy, bring you peace, express joy, demonstrate love. Small acts change the world. Be your own kind of beautiful. Make your own kind of art or sing your own special song. Do your thing! Be you!
#FocusingonPeace
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Tranquil Trees & Peaceful Mountains – A Serene Scene Watercolor in Prussian Blue & Panes Gray – 7×9
Today I wanted to paint and share something peaceful…
tranquil…
serene.
On a day in the U.S. that is likely not to be.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Autumn’s Golden Glow in New Gambouge and Cadmium Yellow – 9×12 Watercolor Painting
Along our usual lunch time walk, Charlie and I pass a house we refer to as the one ‘where the kids live. ‘
There are not many little ones that live on the street we walk on (much to the dismay of the sweet kiddos that recently moved into this home).
But when we do pass this home, if we are lucky and the kids are home and out playing, they come running to visit us. What a joy that is for both Charlie and me.
When the family first moved in and Charlie was newly adopted, he would cower when they came running. These day, he looks for them with anticipation when we pass. What a difference a year makes.
This watercolor painting is my very loose interpretation of the beautiful trees that line the street in front of “the house with the kids.” It was such a beautiful sight this past week that I had to take a picture with my phone as I knew I wanted to paint it.
Soon all the leaves will be gone, but this day they glowed golden in the Autumn sun.
Wishing you a day that is bright and golden and glowing.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
In one breath, I think…
How could it be November already?!?
In another, I anticipate…
Can this month move more quickly please?!?
November is always a time of year
when I think about gratitude and thankfulness.
There is so much to be thankful for…
Let’s celebrate the month of gratitude.
Happy November!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Abstract Pastel in Orange and Blue – 9×12
I woke up early Sunday morning – before the sun, before the birds, before the rest of the house. Sometimes this is my favorite time of day. It feels like an extra gift of time to do whatever I please. So I poured a cup of coffee and sat down with some blank paper and my box of Sennelier soft pastels.
Abstract Pastel in Blue and Orange
For about an hour and a half, I drew and I rubbed and I smudged with abandon and nothing in particular in mind, and these two 9x12s were the result. On the second one, I decided to see what would happen if I splattered some white…..
It was fun to just create some abstract abandon in shades of oranges and blues.
Wishing you a day with a gift of time to do what makes you happy.
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Loose Purple Floral 8×10 Watercolor
Purple and Loose and Free.
Is there any better way to be?
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Autumn in the Pumpkin Patch 9×12 Watercolor
Autumn is so leisurely lingering
and thoughts of pumpkins and trees in shades of oranges and red and yellow
are ever present.
I truly can’t remember when I have enjoyed the Fall season more.
The weather has been so beautiful.
Work has been busy.
Life has been full of exciting changes and anticipation.
One late evening this past week,
I felt the need… the urge… the desire… to paint.
I opened my palette and wasn’t sure what to do.
So I searched my Pinterest inspiration and found and amazing artist, Herry Arifin,
whose style totally intrigued me!
The looseness, the light, the brightness, the bold strokes and color
totally captivated me.
I used one of his paintings as an exercise to practice and created this.
It doesn’t even come remotely close to the talent of Herry, but it was sure fun to try.
And I made myself do it from memory and imagination and with freedom and abandon as opposed to looking at and copying.
It’s been fun watching friends post photos of their little “pumpkins” in pumpkin patches and dreaming of our little pumpkin. In fact, it is getting hard to think of much else!
This grandma-in-waiting is ready to take on the official role and title. Just a few more weeks to go!
Happy Autumn!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
I stayed up way too late one night last week
(in fact it became morning)
deciding to play with a box of pastels (Sennelier halves) I bought on a whim
a while back.
It was fun drawing with the soft chalk
and then rubbing and blending
from black to dark blue to lighter blue to white
to create the night sky.
I then took a fine rigger brush
and some watercolor “mud” leftover on my palette
to draw the stark silhouette of a tree in the cold, starry night,
created with Dr. Phil’s Bleed Proof White (which I managed to smudge).
It’s no Van Gough,
but it is a starry night. 🙂
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
Abstract watercolor in pink and green 9×12
I do not wish to talk politics here,
because I choose to keep things positive.
But this is what I did while watching.
I just sat cross-legged with a block of paper, a brush, and a palette,
and this is what came to life.
I have no idea what it is supposed to be.
It may have begun as a pink rose that just grew and grew
and grew and grew as I watched and listened and dropped paint down.
I wasn’t sure if I would share it here as I have no clue if it is artistic
or creative or even appealing to anyone.
But to me, it is cheerful and happy and bright.
And I think, more than the political climate,
my heart and mind are thinking and dreaming of my first grandchild in several weeks!
And that makes me VERY happy!
Cheers & Hugs,
Jodi
the creative life in between 